IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // {./ "9 W^.^ r>:%' b^ /**:« A f/j & ^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 [frilia 112.5 1^ 1^ ^ :^ 1^ 12.0 2.2 1.4 1.8 1.6 <^ ^> /^ CG Photographic Sciences Corporaiion 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^ "Q ,V .<■"'- V >^ «v> 0^ %^ 'ib^ .■■^.,. i «P. <■? X s . • • ■ M ONTRE A L: PRINTED BY JOHN C. BECKET, AT HIS STEAM PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT, 38, GREAT SAINT JAMES STREET. 1855. I V) \ N # ^ 'i 4 i 4. PREFACE. The following Discourse was preached in Cote Street Church on Sab_ bath, the 10th of June, 1855, during the late Session of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, and has been published at the request of suiJ Synod. But for the earnest solicitation of brethren and friends, for whom the author has great respect, he would not have consented to put a produc- tion so very imperfect, into the hands of any individual, and his only con- solation while now preparing the sermon for the press is, that if it cannot do much good, he feels assured that it will not do much harm. Simple, and unpretending though it be, the writer can honestly say, that it was the result of many prayers, and that he sends it forth in the name of Him who loves to save and comfort His chosen people " by the foolishness of preaching," and who often prefers the stone and the sling to what may be considered better armour. Montreal, June 14th, 1865. THE PRAYER OF FAITH. - v^f^.-j- .^^-. Matt. vii. 7, " Ask, and it shall be given you. ■ -V • j".-*^ •• These are Christ's words. They form a small part ol his sermon on the Mount, which, perhaps, was his first public discourse. It was in all probability extemporaneous ; yet, it affords the most ample and satisfactory evidence of his heavenh wisdom, and perfect holiness, if it does not like- wise amjrd proof of his divinity. We can scarcely suppose ihat any mere man, even though perfect, could, without pre- vious preparation, utter so many profound, pure, and prac- tical sentiments with so much ease and majesty. The moral grandeur of Christ's sermon is hid, like the neavenly glory of his person and conduct, from the spirit- ually blind. You are aware that in the eyes of most men who were privileged to see Christ when on earth, he was •' as a root out of a dry ground," having " no form nor come- liness ;" whereas, his disciples " beheld his glory, the giory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth;" so, to the profane" and worldly, the sermon on the Mount, must be very uninteresting, if not quite repulsive ; while to those who are of God, and who behold things in the light of life, it is seen to be most lovely and divine. To all the called and sanctified it is as numerous heaven ly gems, skilfully set in a lovely casket ; or like so many bright and variegated rays of heavenly light pouring forth from the glorious Sun of Righteousness. If the heavenly truths contained in this single discourse, were thoroughly understood by us, and so written on our hearts, that we should be constrained to act them out in our daily walk and conversation, we would certainly be most wise and holy, and could not fail to be both happy and useful 1 H 6 The discouvse is not a long one, but it contains mucli truth, and in eviny i'orrn. WcThave in it many ]iromisos ami cxhorlalions, as well as many doclrincs and precepts. The text is an exliortation to a much neglected, but most important duty ; a duly which, if rightly performed, would with certainty be followed by abundance of heaven's richest blessings. Indeed, if discharged properly and universally, by every Christian and every Church of Christ, it would prove the effectual means of removing every evil, and of procuring every good. It would make every soul a heavenly temple, every family a sanctuary of peace and joy, and the world another paradise, fairer, brighter, and far more bliss- ful th&n the one which sin destroyed. The duty to which we refer is, prayer, which we wish at present to explain and enforce, and in such a manner that our remarks may consti- tute an exposition of these few, but comprehensive words. " Ask and it shall be given you.^'. The remarks which wc wish to make shall be arranged under the following heads : 1st. The promise of the text. 2nd. The Promiser. 3d. The persons to whom the promise is made. 4th. The condition on which they may expect its ful- filment. I.__We consider in the first place the promise of the text, and in doin times to realize the presence of Him who is their hope, and their all. 2d. Christ^s mtiniteaud unchangmg love lor his people From eternity his delights ware with the sons of men. He loved them more than the joys and honors of heaven, which he eheerfuUy relinquished, for a time, for their sake. He loved them more than his life, which he laid down, amidst shame and sorrow, for their salvation. The love of Jesus for his people, is a mysterious love ; there is nothing to which we can compare it ; there is no way by which we can com- prehend or fathom it. Brethren, it is higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the earth, and broader than the sea ! Jf the love of Christ for his people is infinite and unchangable, what may they not expect to receive from him in answer to their prayers of faith ' 3d The close and tender relations by which Christ is bound lO his people. He is partaker of their nature ; a son of man as Jruly as he is the son of God. He if our kinsman and brother, and has all those warm, tender, anxious feelings thai mem- bers of a holy family have for each other. He is husband, and never was earthly husband so considerate^ sympathiz- ing, faithful, and loving. He is the head, and has the same close, essential relationship to the Church, that the natural head has to the physical body. He is the very life of his people— is to them what the soul is to the natural body, rf Christ is so closely, variously, and tenderly related to his people, why should they be backward in approaching him in prayer, or doubtful in regard to his answering their daily, their hourly petitions ? 4th. Christ's promises and exhortations should greatly en- jourage his people to pray. Even had he neither promised nor exhorted in relation to prayer, his people knowing his benevolent character, and the tender and close relations that exist between him and them, might well be encour- aged to pray to him, and with perfect confidence ; but when he earnestly exhorts them to ask, and faithfully, and frequently promises to give them what they need, in answer to prayer ; his psople are guilty of a great sin when they do not pray^ or wlien praving for those things which are promis- 1 ( ed, and which they absolutely need, they pray m unbelief, or with little or no hope of getting the blessings prayed for. 5lh. The fact, that when Christ blesses his people in an- swer to prayer, he honors himself, and his Father, and great- ly benefits tho moral universe, at the head of which he is placed for the sake of the Church, should encourage to prayer, and give confidence to his people, when they pray aright'. All the infinite riches of divine grace and heavenly slovy has been put into the hands of Christ as Mediator, that he might show his own love and the love of the Father for all who were redeemed by his blood. And the full manifes- tation of the love of God in the gifts of his grace in Christ, was intended not merely for the special benefit of Christians, but for the good of all his moral and responsi- blecreatures in heaven as well as upon earth. And being so il Christ were unfaithful to his solemn and glorious trust he would greatly dishonor himself, and his Father, and do unspeakable injury to the whole moral universe. bth. The experience of God's people in all past genera- tions, should encourage Christians in our day, and at every luture period of time, to pray to Christ, and with confidence. Many, many, have already trusted in him, and have never been put to shame. He has always made good his prom- ises to those who could claim them; and the prayer of laith will never want its answer. No ! no ! brethreji : we believe that Christ would sooner leave the throne of heaven or even cease to be, than refuse lo answer the pravers of those who ask in faith. " III. Under the third head of discourse, we propose to show to whom the promise cf the text is made : " AsJf , and it shall be given you." The pronoun,' you,' refers to a particular class ot persons. The sermon on the mount was delivered in the hearing of a great multitude of persons, most of v/hom, no doubt, were in unbelief. But though delivered in the hearin- ol all, and for the benefit of all who stocrd before, or around Christ, It was more especially addressed to his disciples, a? we may discover by attending to the first part of it, and to vari- ous statements throughout it. In the beginning of the chapter which contains the first part of the discourse, it is ^aid 18 « He went up into ii mouutain, and when he was sM, hi* disciples came unto him : Ami he ope.ied his mmith and laught them, saying." In the eleventh ^er^"-. j' '^/^J,^^- •' Blessed me ve when men shall revile you." In the thir- teenth ''Y^sai the salt of the earth." In the fourteenth, "Ye are the light of the world ;» and in the verse preced- ing the text, it is said, " Give not that which is lioly unto thi dogs, neither cast ye your pearl* before swine, lest they iraniple them undev iheir feet, and turn again and "Mul vou." The pronoun, ' you,' in the text, refers undoubtedly U. the disciples, and the promise must If """.^'''^^f ,^f limited to those who, like them, are united to Clins , and fo - lowers of him. We know that it is the duty of all men to nrav to God ; that unbelievers should pray for the Spirit to nable them to believe ; and they have great encouragemen "do so in the facts, that God commands them to prav and that he has at times answered the earnest prayers of very wicked men. But regular and abundant ""^^^^^J .^»«'l,^; the text promises-the bestowment of every needful bless- „g just^vhen needed, and asked, cannot be expected and shall not be obtained by any man who is yet with- It God and without iKpe. .Till a man - J»^"fi;'lj- Christ, he is not in a position in which he can ask any bles- sine from Christ, with the assurance of receiving what he ask! Nay a man must not only be in Christ, but to a great extent be conformed to him, before he can expect to have favour with God and prevail in prayer. IV Under the fourth head otdisourse we require to point outlie condition, on which the promsie of the text will be Wfiled to those to whom it is made. It is stated in a single, but very emphatic word, " Ask." In speaking of prayer as rcoSron which the promise of the text is to be fuU filled we must gaurd you against the pernicious error of S;trng that w? can 4rit any blessing the very smalle t V.W niir nfavers Merit ng the favour of God, by anytnuio whuTh we?who are sinners, can do, is a thing entirely out Tf he Testion, that should not for a moment oe allowed to enter the mnd The instant it does so, it pollutes the mind, !"!!l„=X"-irlt of self-dependence, and consequently sep- ^rllTs «; frora'lellowship with Christ, who is all our salva- I set, \m th and s said : he thir- rteenth, preced- ly unto est they lid read >ubtedly ered as and fol- men to Spirit to igement ray, and 3 of very such as il bless- ixpected 3t with- tified in my bles- what he 3 a great to have ! to point t will be a single, prayer as to be ful- » error of smallest, anything irely out llowed to the mind, ently sep- our salva- I 1^11 \ 19 tioii and ail our hope. Wc iiavc no claim even to the smallest temporal bles«iag, but by Christ ; and his blood and righteousness, \vhi(ih alone liave procured for us the con- imuation ol natural life and its various blessings, have also procured for us eternal life-all the blessings of' grace, m^ all the still greater blessings of glory. ^ ' We can merit nothing by prayer, and yet, we must pray, ; . L r 1.1^' ^"^ constantly as if our prayers could entitle ns to the blessings which we ask. If God has seen it to be a wise and rjght thing to appoint a certain means to be used by us in obtaining the blessings of the covenant of grace, none need be surprised to find that ho requires his peSple to use he means properly, with a care and earnestness .suita})le to the vast importance of the blessings which they seek by prayer. Be assured, dear brethren, that it is not any kind ol asking that will obtain answers from God. There are many wrong ways of prayer, whereas there is but one right way. We are now prepared to show you how Christians must pray if they would receive from God, whe!, they ask, and all they desire. This part of the subject is so very importam that we should like to be very particular in our treatment of it, but we have already said^o much an it'"wf Tirl ^^ ^^y' ^^^^ we%annot dwen'o^f It. We shall only name the different points which we would most willingly have particularly explained, mak^o a lemark on those that require special attention. ^ ist. If Christians would be successful in prayer, thev must not pray lor too many thiiigs at once. If fheir praye^rs^' eJv' '^^^y *''o pray lified. no in- d, and s well lid be raying parate 5, and self to 1 he do Minis- me for ho so cannot should es, re- lost im- special I desti- js con- . And 3, and iportant jaching divine 1 minis- c'.e than 3t great- [ Christ. nmg or 'be sub- voice of man that Satan is to be expelled from any human heart where h3 loves to dwell, and of which he has the firmest hold. No, no ; the power that made man can alone regene- rate him, and He alone that drove Satan from heaven can expel him from the affections of any sinful heart. Ministers can do much without the Spirit of God. They can collect congregations and keep them together, make them clearly understand the difference between truth and error ; they can make even the worst of their hearers, sober, industrious, and moral ; implant in them a taste for the forms of religion • convince them of the necessity of the new birth, and brin<^ them to the very verge of it ; but the new nature they cannol give, the living union with Christ they cannot effect. These things can only be accomplished by supernatural agency and such agency cannot be expected without prayer. Who ever heard of a prayerless minister being a "successful preacher ? Is it not a well known fact that ministers tha+ were most successful in preaching devoted very much of their lime to prayer, the best of their time, and often much ot the night as well as the best periods of the day ? If the ministry needs effectual prayer, so does the church It the church is not revived, the world cannot be converted and if the world is not converted it must be destroyed The conversion of the world instriuuentally is the special work not of the ministry, but of the church. Of course ministers must take a share of the work, and a large share too but it IS not exclusively or chiefly their work. The whole ihurch IS expected to do the work, and hence she is spoken of as the leaven that is to quicken the whole dead lump the liffht which is to dispel the world's darkness. Can she do the glorious work assigned lo her, and for which she is respon- sib e, m her present condition ? And how is she to be puii- hed and enlivened, when the most faithful preaching of the word has no good influence upon her ? Perhaps the Lord will awaken her and purify her by severe afHiclion. We really cannot tell how she is to be brought into the con- dition in which she shall be disposed to devote herself to earnest prayer, but certain we are that until she is much very nnuch with God, and learns to take hold of Him and 90 wrestle with Him as to prevail, she will not fulfill thp 26 end for which she was called to Christ, and is now main- tained by His arm and supplied by His grace. The church has much, very much need, to pray for herself in these sad and most trying times. She is now in great danger, and Christ is speaking very solemnly to her; she may not hear His voice, but He is addressing hei most pointedly and earnestly in such words as these — " I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die : for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shaltnot watch, [ will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." The world should command the prayers of the church. She is in a most critical state at this moment ; she is on the eve of revolutions of the most extensive and des- tructive character, revolutions that will change completely the face of the whole earth. The church should know this, and be ready to pray that a remnant of the guilty may be saved, and that the work of destruction that may spread far and wide, however awful, may be short. But the ministry should now be the special object of the prayers of the church. She should pray for the servants of God very particularly as well as earnestly and constantly. She should pray that they might be entirely devoted to their work, and most successful in prosecuting it. She should pray for them every day of the week as well as on Sabbath day. The time ministers most need the prayers of the church is not at the end, but at the beginning of the week, before they have made any preparation for the services of the sanctuary. The Church should pray that the Lord would guide them to suitable subjects of discourse, give them pro- per views on these subjects, and make them feel deeply the importance of the truths which they wish others to feel. When they have got suitable messages from God for their people, the church should pray that they might be kent from ftnsraging in anv work, even speakiner or thinking 27 b£ any thing, that would in any way prevent the h0td from blessing their Sabbath ministrations. As the Sabbath approaches, the prayers of God's people for ministers should be increased; the earnest desire of the Church on the Sabbath morning should be that the ambassadors of Christ might come into her midst from the presence of God, filled with the Spirit, entirely freed from the fear of man, and the love of human applause — and reflecting from their appearance, manner, and words, so much of the character and love of Christ that the Master might be as visible in them as the servant. When ministers have entered the pulpit, the church should not fancy that they have got into a place so very sacred, and where so much of the presence of God must be con- stantly realised, that they cannot be exposed to tempta- tion. The very reverse of this is the sad truth. The pulpit, like the closet, is the place most haunted by the Wicked One, where he uses his greatest skill and power, and where he is often most successful in the prosecution of his most malicious work. The Sabbath is Satan's market day, and the church is his market place. If Christians would have much of God's presence, and a great out-pouring of the Spirit in con- nexion with a faithfully preached gospel, they must keep the world, sin, and Satan, out of God's house ; and this can only be done by earnest believing prayer during the whole period of divine service. Whenever Christians cease to pray when in the house of God, they cease to hear in faith, or in an humble dependence on God^as present and gracious, and when they cease to receive in faith, they cannot receive even the riches of God's grace with relish ; and when the gospel is not relished, Christ is re- jected, God is dishonoured, and the Spirit is grieved. The efficiency of the holy ministry is a thing of such vast importance and so dependant on the faithfulness of the church, that to relievo herself of most fearful responsi- bility and bring into operation the very best means of honouring Christ and extending his kingdom on earth, she cjhould feel herself most powerfully constrained to hold many social meetings lor prayer with a view to its increase. 28 Men of the most approved character for wisdom and goodness should be called to officiate at these meetings, and they should never be asked to do so without having time to prepare themselves for the very important duty in which the church would have them to engage. We would not certainly recommend such men to compose prayers for the meetings referred to, and so commit them to memory that they might hope to be able when required to repeat them accurately. Such prayers in too many cases are but lip prayers which could not suit either the men or object of which we speak. The preparation needed, and which we would press upon your attention as a thing which, if not indispensible, is most desirable, is, that the men who are to take the lead in these prayer meetings should, for a considerable time before they are called to officiate, seriously and prayerfully ponder over the object to be brought before the throne of grace, till their hearts become deeply affi»cted by its importance, and they are made to feel that their whole soul is ready to go out in most ear- nest desires to obtain it. The Lord bless His own word, and to His name in Christ be all honour, glory, and praise, for ever and ever, Amen. I